Monsoon progressing smoothly: IMD

The south-west monsoon has been making smooth progress and is likely  remain active at least for the next two weeks, the weather office said today.

Since the monsoon's onset on 29 May, the southern peninsula, which is the region where the monsoon is most active, has received excess rainfall. The Marathwada region, however, has received normal rains.

"The cumulative seasonal rainfall for the country as a whole during this year''s monsoon has so far been 17 per c ent above the Long Period Average," the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The IMD said, in addition to covering the entire peninsular region, monsoon could advance over most parts of Central India as also large parts of the east and north-eastern region by 24 June.

"An upper air cyclonic circulation is likely to develop in the North Bay of Bengal around June 12 and move inland. Under its influence, rainfall activity is likely to increase over east India," it said.

According to the weather office, the monsoon system could cover the remaining parts of north-east over the next two days advancing over remaining parts of south peninsula and many parts of east India, as also some parts of central India during the later half of the next one week.